Testimony provided by Pastor Philip Borbor Joshua
Persecution of a Pastor I heard about During My Village Ministry in 2024. In a village in Liberia, Pastor Sahr James encountered severe persecution that eventually cost him his life. Pastor James was the pastor of a small church with a growing congregation. At the same time, he worked as a farmer to provide for his family. He was married and had four children.
Many people in the village loved and respected Pastor James because of his humility, dedication, and commitment to serving both God and the community. However, some individuals who were not Christians hated him. They opposed him because he preached boldly about Jesus Christ, and many people who were involved in traditional practices were converting to Christianity. Those opposed to him feared that their secrets would be exposed and that their traditional influence would weaken as more people embraced the Christian faith. Some parents who had previously belonged to secret societies became Christians and no longer allowed their children to join those societies. As a result, the church led by Pastor James continued to grow in membership, creating further resentment among those who opposed his ministry. The traditional leaders and their supporters eventually developed a plan to eliminate Pastor James. They had a rule that whenever their masked traditional figure, commonly referred to as the “devil,” entered the village, anyone who was not a member of their society had to remain indoors until it left. On one occasion, when the “devil” came to the village, Pastor James and his family obeyed the rule and stayed inside throughout the day. While they were indoors, many of Pastor James’s belongings were taken away, and several of his possessions were destroyed.
When Pastor James reported the incident to the village chief, no meaningful action was taken. He received neither justice nor protection. This lack of response only increased the danger he faced. The next time the “devil” came to the village, Pastor James instructed his family to remain indoors, but he himself stayed outside. The “devil,” accompanied by a group of men, arrested Pastor James and took him into the bush, where he was killed. Sadly, the government did not take the matter seriously, and justice was never served. As a result, Pastor James’s family was forced to leave the village. His wife and four children, all under the age of fourteen, have been left to struggle for survival. The family faces many hardships, including poverty, lack of educational support, and uncertainty about the future. The children are not receiving the help they need to attend school, and their mother continues to suffer as she tries to care for them alone. The little church is closed, and those who were saved are afraid in that village to attend the church when there is in fact no pastor there again for them.
The story of Pastor Sahr James serves as a painful reminder that some Christians in remote communities continue to face persecution because of their faith. It also highlights the need for justice, protection of religious freedom, and support for families who suffer after losing loved ones to violence. Please remember the family of the late Pastor Sahr James in your prayers. Pray that God will comfort them, provide for their needs, protect them, and make a way for the children to continue their education despite the challenges they face.
